The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to violations of the Vienna Convention by Western countries

Russia is facing violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 by Western countries. This was reported on February 9 by Igor Bogdashev, director of the Department of State Protocol of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Unfortunately, we have recently encountered cases of foreign governments violating the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or complicating the conditions of their colleagues' stay abroad," he told RIA Novosti.

According to Bogdashev, Russian diplomats face refusals in working contacts with the authorities of the host country, restriction of freedom of movement and financial restrictions and many other difficulties. All this negatively affects traditional diplomacy aimed at reducing tensions between states, the agency interlocutor said.

In addition, he expressed indignation over the purposeful Russophobic political course in the West. Bogdashev said that the anti-Russian rhetoric results in attacks on employees of Russian foreign institutions and buildings of embassies and consulates in Western countries.

"In conversations with European ambassadors, we have repeatedly emphasized the unacceptability of such an attitude toward Russian diplomats and the need to comply with the norms of international law," the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's State Protocol Department specified.

According to the diplomat, it is equal dialog based on mutual respect that is more important now than ever.

As a conclusion, Bogdashev reminded that the Russian side is always ready to provide foreign colleagues with comfortable working conditions in the country for the development of bilateral and multilateral relations.

Before that, on February 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia would respond proportionately in case the European Union (EU) imposes restrictions against Russian diplomats. She noted that the Russian Federation does not doubt the information about the possibility of imposing restrictions on the freedom of movement and terms of stay of Russian diplomats in Europe.

On January 22, Politico reported that German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock called on the EU countries to expand sanctions and increase pressure on Russian diplomats. Thus, she shared the proposals prepared by the German Foreign Ministry, which provide for limiting the time of accreditation and freedom of movement for Russian diplomats.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.